The Democratic advocate., 1887-04-16
SEMI-CENTENNIAL !
Carroll's Fiftieth Anniversary Cele-
brated by a Grand Parade, Mon
ster Meeting, Historical Ad-
dress, Grafton and Poem.
The Greatest Celebration in
Western Maryland.
Old Citizens, Trades Display
and Horsemen.
A Brilliant Spectacle Music
by IL Bands and 2 Drum
Corps.
10000 Visitors to the County Seat.

/
Full Account of the Days Doings.
The greatest civic parade ever known in
Carroll was that which took place in this
city on Monday last, in celebration of the
50th anniversary of the organization of the
county, and will not likely be excelled for
years to come The line was about two
miles long, and the route traversed was
four miles.
The day was all that could have been
desired bright and clear, with tempera-
ture ranging from 81 to 7S, and pleasant
breeze to temper the warm rays of the sun.
1t was day to tempt people out of doors,
after nearly month of disagreeable wealth
er, and made it possible for many of the
aged citizens of the county, who took much
interest in the celebration, to be present.
1t was stirring day in Carroll. Prep.
arations were made at the first dawn of day
to come to town, and every road leading to
the county seat was lined with vehicles of
all kinds, by pedestrians and people on
horseback. Everybody came early, and by
8 o'clock the streets were thronged as never
before, and trains east and west on the
Western Maryland Railroad brought many
hundreds more.
Westminster, as the capital of the coun-
ty, did herself credit in her preparations.
As early as Friday workmen spanned the
streets with arches, and the same day the
work of decorating buildings was begun.
The spirit to decorate and trim up rapidly
spread, and by Saturday night the little
city was gay with flags, banners, bunting
and evergreens, and the national emblem
was suspended across the streets in every
direction. On Sunday, bright spring
day, everybody was out viewing the deco
rations, and on Monday many more houses
were trimmed. The ornamentation of a
number of buildings was elaborate, and
nearly every house on the line of the pa
rade was decorated. The little city never
presented so gay an appearance.
As the people came into town at either
end, the word "WELcoME' in large letters
on triumphal arches greeted them, and the
figures "1937' and 1887" indicated the
span of years from the birth of the county
to the present time In the centre of the
city a third arch had been reared, and it
bore the word "Semi- Centennial" and also
the dates a1837" and 1881" On Lib
erty street, between Main and Green, w.
s. Myer & Bro, of the Westminster Flour
ing Mills, had unique arch made of -four
barrels, wrapped with bunting, and just at
the intersection of Liberty and Green, an
arch spanned Liberty street. Here again
the word "Welcome" greeted the visitors
entering by that street, and the familiar
dates ''1S37" and 1887" appeared on
either side. This arch was gaily trimmed
with orange and black plumes, with flags
and evergreens, and was erected by the
citizens of the immediate neighborhood.
Along with the crowds that came to the
celebration came numerous bands and drum
corps, and their music filed the air and
added to the general enthusiasm of the
multitudes that thFonged the streets. The
side walks were a mass of humanity, and
the streets for hours were filled with horse
men, wheelmen, musicians, handsome floats,
&C., preparing to engage in the great pro
cession The number of visitors in the city
on Semi Centennial Day has been variously
estimated from fifteen to twenty-five thou
sand, and it may safely be stated that, in
Guiding the resident population, there were
fully 10000 persons present on that day.
To entertain this great influx, great prepa-
ration was made, and successfully, too. Be-
sides the six hotels, lunch stands were main
tanned at various points, and everybody kept
open house. 1t was not uncommon for as
many as twenty, thirty, forty, and even as
many as sixty-fve visitors to be lunched at
a single house, and Westminster added
largely to her widespread reputation for
generous and free-handed hospitality.
The hour Of parade was 1890 o'clock,
but SO immense was tho line to be formed
that 1t was an hour later before the head
of the column started from the City Hotel
westward, followed by the cayalcade. At
Centre street the Old Citizens division
Joined the line. Westward the march was
continued, and at the Fire Department
Building the firemen took their places, and
at Liberty street the trades division fell
into line. Still westward the march was
continued to Union street, THENCE to
Pennsylvania avenue, to Main, to Bond, to
Park, to Chase, to Liberty, to Main, to
Washington avenue, to Green, to Centre, to
Court, to Willis. to Centre, to Main, to the
railroad.
No such procession ever paraded the
streets of Westminster, nor had it ever
been exceeded in Western Maryland.
The bright uniforms of the wheelmen,
6remep aHd musicians; the flags, haHaera
and gay decorations of the trades display
the bright sashes Of the marshals and aids;
the prancing steeds, with waving plumes,
all contributed to make brilliant spectacle,
while the merry music Of the bands was
inspiring to the highest degree. As the
procession moved, the enthusiasm of the
people was Hneopnded, and all along the
line cheers rent the air, alternated with
shouts of laughter at the antics of the
maskers.
THE PROCESSION.
First was Chief Marshal John Galt. ac-
companied by staff of twelve, one from
each district, as follows:
Chas. c. Currens, Harvey Freeman, B.
F. Shriver, L. A. J. Lamotte, E. NJ.
Shipley, Jacob Wink, Ephraim Bankert,
Michael Buchanan, Robert Sellman, james
+, Koaps, Charles p Raile, Marshall
Repp,
Col. s. K. Herr was chief aid, and no
more efficient one ever mounted horse.
To him was entrusted the organization and
active command of the line, and his aids,
George A. Shower, Percy H. Shriver, ].
Milton Reifsnider and Il. Frank Tracy,
rendered him valuable assistance.